EP1693528A2

EP1693528A2 - Architectural modular element

Info

Publication number: EP1693528A2
Application number: EP05425898A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maurizio Placuzzi
Original assignee: Sicis Srl; Sicis International Srl
Current assignee: Sicis Srl; Sicis International Srl
Priority date: 2005-02-18
Filing date: 2005-12-20
Publication date: 2006-08-23
Also published as: US20060185285A1; ITMI20050050U1

Abstract

An architectural modular element (10) made of transparent material comprises at least one surface (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13), which is lowered relative to a peripheral edge (14) of the surface (12) such that the outer surface of the tiles (13) is substantially flush with the outer surface of the peripheral edge (14). The mosaic tiles (13) are made of a transparent material, such as glass. The surface (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13) corresponds to a side surface of a parallelepiped and the peripheral edge (14) corresponds to the edge of the side surface.

Description

The object of the present invention is an architectural modular element.
Particularly, the present invention relates to an architectural modular element used as a decorative, furnishing or lighting element, suitable to be partially covered with mosaic tiles.
The need of having architectural elements which allow creating walls, wall portions or other furnishing elements using mosaic tiles in a quick and versatile manner is particularly felt in the field. A further need in the field is that these architectural elements are integrated in the environment where they are placed, such that the tiles define a stable and resistant decorative element.
The problem at the heart of the present invention is to provide an architectural modular element which has such structural and functional characteristics as to meet said requirements.
This problem is solved by means of an architectural modular element in accordance with claim 1.
Further characteristics and the advantages of the architectural modular element according to the invention will become apparent from the description of preferred embodiments thereof, which are merely illustrative and non-limiting, with reference to the annexed figures, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an architectural modular element according to the present invention in which several elements have been omitted to better illustrate others.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the entire architectural modular element from Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a front view of the architectural modular element from Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the architectural modular element from Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 shows a side view of the architectural modular element from Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 shows a front view of a possible embodiment of the architectural modular element according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows a sectional view according to line VII-VII of the architectural modular element from Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 shows a front view of a possible embodiment of the architectural modular element according to the present invention;
Fig. 9 shows a sectional view according to line IX-IX of the architectural modular element from Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 shows a front view of a possible embodiment of the architectural modular element according to the present invention;
Fig. 11 shows a side view of the architectural modular element from Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 shows a sectional view according to line XII-XII of the architectural modular element from Fig. 10;
Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a possible use of the architectural modular element according to the present invention;
Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a possible use of the modular element according to the present invention;

With reference to said figures, with 10 has been generally designated an architectural modular element made of transparent material.
In accordance with the present invention, the architectural modular element 10 comprises at least one surface 12 covered with mosaic tiles 13. Preferably, the architectural modular element 10 has two surfaces 12 that are tessellated and arranged on opposite sides of the architectural modular element.
Advantageously, the surface 12 is lowered relative to a peripheral edge 14 that defines the surface, such that the outer surface of the tiles is substantially flush with the outer surface of the edge. Particularly, Fig. 1 shows a surface 12 not completely covered with mosaic tiles in order to illustrate the peripheral edge 14 and the surface 12 lowered relative to said peripheral edge 14. The mosaic tiles are preferably bonded to the surface 12 and the bonding material, such as silicone or the like, can form seams in the joints between the tiles, such as illustrated in the figures.
Preferably, the mosaic tiles are also made of a transparent material, such as glass.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, such as illustrated in Fig. 1-5, the surface 2 covered with mosaic tiles is plane.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, such as illustrated in Fig. 6-12, the surface 12 covered with mosaic tiles is curved.
Advantageously, the architectural modular element is a parallelepiped, such as illustrated in Fig. 1-5. In addition, two surfaces 12 covered with mosaic tiles are preferably provided arranged on opposite sides of the architectural modular element.
In a parallelepiped-shaped architectural modular element, the surface 12 covered with mosaic tiles corresponds to a side surface of the parallelepiped and the peripheral edge 14 corresponds to the edge of the side surface. In Fig. 1-5 there are illustrated two surfaces 12 covered with mosaic tiles, which correspond to opposing side surfaces of the parallelepiped.
Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate a curved architectural modular element, the surface 12 thereof where the mosaic tiles are affixed is a curved surface. Also in this case, two surfaces 12 are preferably provided arranged on opposite sides of the architectural modular element, both being curved. The curvature has been obtained relative to an axis parallel to the long side of the architectural modular element. The other surfaces of the architectural element are plane. The curvature extends along an arch of about 90°.
Fig. 8 and 9 illustrate a curved architectural modular element, the surface 12 thereof where the mosaic tiles are affixed is a curved surface. Also in this case, two surfaces 12 are preferably provided which are arranged on opposite sides of the architectural modular element, both being curved. The curvature has been obtained relative to an axis parallel to the short side of the architectural modular element. The other surfaces of the architectural element are plane. The curvature extends in an arch of about 90°.
Fig. 10-12 illustrate a curved architectural modular element, the surface 12 thereof where the mosaic tiles are affixed is a curved surface. Also in this case, two surfaces 12 are preferably provided which are arranged on opposite sides of the architectural modular element, both being curved. The curvature has been obtained relative to an axis parallel to the short side of the architectural modular element. The other surfaces of the architectural element are plane. The curvature extends in an arch of about 180°.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, not illustrated, the architectural modular element according to the present invention comprises means for fastening to other architectural modular elements.
Advantageously, the architectural modular element according to the present invention is hollow inside and suitable to receive lighting bodies.
The architectural modular element according to the present invention allows creating architectural structures, such as walls, wall portions, columns, furnishing or lighting elements. In Fig. 13 and 14 there are illustrated two possible embodiments. The first corresponds to a column consisting of three architectural modular elements whereas the second corresponds to a wall consisting of six architectural modular elements.
It can be seen that the peripheral edge 14 and the provision of the lowered surface allow obtaining an architectural element where the mosaic tiles are housed and fixed in a precise and stable manner, thereby avoiding any increase in the bulk of the modular element and avoiding that the tiles may project from the sides of the modular element.
Furthermore, the peripheral edge defines a frame of transparent material which surrounds the mosaic tiles and which, when the modular element is used for lighting bodies, allows increasing the level of lightness on the side with the mosaic tiles.
It should be understood that variations and/or additions may be provided to what has been described and illustrated above.
The architectural modular element can be made in any shape and size and with any proportion among the components thereof.
According to further embodiments, the tessellated walls can also be more than two.
With curved architectural modular elements, the mosaic tiles can be positioned both on curved surfaces and plane surfaces, or only on plane ones.
The tiles can be made of any material, preferably a transparent material, such as glass.
The peripheral edge can have any shape, size and extension. For example, it can be round.
The mosaic tiles can also be provided in any shape, colour and size in addition to those illustrated above by way of example.
When the architectural modular elements are used in columns or walls, they can vary in number, shape and size from what has been illustrated above.
To the preferred embodiment of the architectural modular element such as described above, those skilled in the art, aiming at satisfying contingent and specific requirements, may carry out a number of modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with functionally equivalent ones, without however departing form the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Architectural modular element (10) made of transparent material and comprising at least one surface (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13), said surface (12) being lowered relative to a peripheral edge (14) of said surface (12) such that the outer surface of the tiles (13) is substantially flush with the outer surface of the peripheral edge (14).
The architectural modular element according to claim 1, wherein the mosaic tiles (13) are made of transparent material, such as glass.
The architectural modular element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said surface (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13) is plane.
The architectural modular element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said surface (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13) is curved.
The architectural modular element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said architectural modular element is a parallelepiped.
The architectural modular element according to claim 5, wherein said surface (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13) corresponds to a side surface of said parallelepiped and wherein said peripheral edge (14) corresponds to the edge of said side surface.
The architectural modular element according to claim 6, comprising two surfaces (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13) corresponding to opposing side surfaces of said parallelepiped.
The architectural modular element according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two surfaces (12) covered with mosaic tiles (13) arranged on opposite sides on the architectural modular element.
The architectural modular element according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for fastening to other architectural modular elements.
The architectural modular element according to one of the preceding claims, which is hollow inside and suitable to receive lighting bodies.